CHAPTER 1: HUMILIATION

The ballroom was dazzling. Glittering chandeliers, delicate floral arrangements, and the soft hum of classical music filled the air. Laughter and murmured conversations blended into an elegant symphony of celebration.

But for me, this night was nothing short of a nightmare.

At the center of the room stood Kenneth Williams, the man I had loved for seven years. The man I had sacrificed my future for.

And beside him, Sophia Montgomery, draped in a stunning silver engagement dress, her fingers entwined with his.

My breath hitched as I took an unsteady step forward.

No. This isn’t happening.

Then, the voice of the event host shattered my last shred of hope.

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the engagement ceremony of Kenneth Williams and Sophia Montgomery!”

Applause erupted. The sound slammed into my chest like a hammer.

I felt lightheaded.

I must have misheard.

This was a joke. A misunderstanding.

Kenneth turned, and our eyes met.

For a split second, something flickered in his gaze—guilt? Recognition?

Then he turned away.

Like I was nothing.

A low chuckle.

Sophia, her hand resting over her stomach, smirked as if she had just won a battle I never even knew I was fighting.

Pregnant.

My world spun.

I staggered back, my breath coming in sharp gasps.

"No… no… this can't be happening."

I forced my way through the crowd, my voice shaking. “Kenny?”

He didn’t flinch.

Didn’t acknowledge me.

Didn’t even spare me a glance.

But Sophia did. She tilted her head in mock sympathy.

“Oh, darling,” she cooed, “you didn’t actually think he was going to marry you, did you?”

My nails dug into my palms.

“Tell them, Kenny,” I whispered. “Tell them I was there for you when you had nothing! Tell them I—”

“That was your choice, Ivana.”

His voice was cold. Unapologetic.

The final knife to my chest.

I choked back a sob, my entire body trembling.

Laughter rippled through the guests. A few whispered behind their hands, watching my humiliation unfold like a tragic play.

My heart pounded as I turned to Kenneth again, desperate to see something—anything—in his eyes that would make this all feel like a horrible mistake.

But there was nothing.

He stood there, tall and composed, his hand resting lightly on Sophia’s waist, like I had never mattered.

I clenched my fists so hard my nails dug into my palm.

“You said we would build a future together,” I whispered, my voice barely audible over the music. “I dropped out of school. I worked three jobs. I sent you abroad with everything I had!” My voice cracked. “You had nothing, Kenny. I gave you everything.”

Kenneth finally turned his head, but his expression was distant. Indifferent.

“You don’t belong in my world, Ivana,” he said simply.

Sophia let out a low, mocking laugh, rubbing her stomach. “He’s marrying me. His equal.”

The words sent a fresh wave of pain through me.

Equal?

As if I was beneath them.

As if the years I spent struggling, fighting, sacrificing—meant nothing.

Something inside me snapped.

I strode forward, raising my hand—

A firm grip caught my wrist.

Kenneth’s grip was cold, his eyes colder.

“Don’t embarrass yourself.”

I yanked my arm away, breathing heavily, my face burning with humiliation.

More laughter. More whispers.

“She actually thought he’d marry her?”

“She looks so desperate.”

“This is so sad.”

I couldn’t take it.

Without another word, I turned and stormed out of the ballroom.

Tears blurred my vision as I pushed through the large double doors, the sound of my heels echoing down the marble hallway.

Kenneth’s betrayal was a knife, twisting deeper with every step I took.

I didn’t know where I was going.

I just needed to breathe.

To escape.

I don’t remember how I got to the railway station.

One moment, I was running blindly through the city streets. The next, I found myself at the railway station, sitting on a cold bench.

My dress, once pristine, was now crumpled. My makeup, once flawless, was smeared with tears.

Everything felt… surreal.

I had given him seven years of my life.

I had sacrificed my future for him.

And in return, I was discarded like trash.

A sharp sob escaped my lips as fresh tears spilled down my cheeks.

I didn’t even notice when someone sat beside me.

A deep voice cut through the silence.

“Having a bad day?”

I flinched when I  realized I wasn’t alone.

The man next to me was strikingly handsome.

Tall, with sharp features and dark, piercing  eyes that seemed to see right through me.

He was dressed in a black suit, the top buttons undone, giving him an air of effortless power.

Something about him felt… dangerous.

I let out a shaky breath I didn’t know I was holding.

I didn’t answer.

He didn’t seem to mind.

“So why are you crying alone here?” he asked casually.

The simple question shattered the last of my resolve.

Fresh tears spilled down my face as words tumbled out.

“I bought a house two months ago in his name,” I choked out. “He had nothing when I met him. I was there for him. I supported him, pushed him to succeed.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat.

“And now that he’s found his ground… I’m trash.”

The man beside me let out a quiet chuckle.

I turned to glare at him, expecting mockery, but his expression was unreadable.

“How foolish of you,” he murmured.

My fists clenched.

“Excuse me?”

He ignored my anger and leaned back against the bench.

“How about I offer you a contract?” His voice was smooth, calculated. “With no strong attachments.”

I frowned. “What kind of contract?”

He turned his head slightly, his gaze locking onto mine.

“One that will make him pay for what he did to you.”

My heart skipped.

I sat up straighter, my breath catching in my throat.

“In return,” he continued, “you act as my wife. For one year.”

Silence stretched between us.

I stared at him, trying to process his words.

“Why would you do that?” I asked hesitantly.

He smirked and reached into his pocket, pulling out a sleek black card.

“When you’re ready,” he said, placing it beside me. “This is my contact information.”

Then, just like that, he stood up.

Before I could ask anything else, he disappeared into the night, leaving me alone with nothing but his card and a choice that could change everything.

I picked up the card, my fingers trembling.

One name was printed in bold letters.

Josh.

Just Josh. No last name. No further information.

My mind speaks to  me not to trust a stranger.

But deep inside, something darker whispered back.

Kenneth betrayed you.

Kenneth humiliated you.

What if this is your chance to make him suffer?

I exhaled slowly, gripping the card.

Maybe revenge wasn’t such a bad idea after all.